Though Colin usually ceded the first half of events to Mr. Anderson, he wasn't willing to share during his own mother's birthday ball! It was his family's event, he should receive some latitude.
Almost immediately, Colin cut into the conversation between Penelope and Mr. Anderson.
"Penelope, you must try the food. It is exquisite." Colin said, pulling Penelope away from Mr. Anderson. Though mostly a ploy to remove Mr. Anderson, Colin does stop for a quick snack with Penelope. He needs to stall briefly, as Benedict finished setting everything up.
Following his talk with his brothers, Colin, Benedict, and Anthony (Gregory was away at Eton) had secluded a portion of the garden from the party and set up extra lighting in the gazebo for Colin's proposal. Benedict was finishing up the lighting. Anthony ensured a chaperone was within sight of the gazebo, but they wouldn't interrupt. Colin covered it in flowers.
After a funny exchange with Penelope about her eclair, Colin received a nod from Benedict. Immediately, Colin started to lead Penelope into the garden and through to the gazebo.
Penelope's mouth dropped when she took in the stunning gazebo. She did a complete spin to take in all the flowers and lights. She even spotted a chaperone not too far away to help avoid any scandal!
When Penelope completed her turn, she spotted Colin down on a knee behind her.
"Penelope, will you marry me?" Colin asked.
"Colin …" Penelope bit her lip. Should she mention the pact? Or just go with it? She'd have to mention it. She couldn't marry him while always thinking about it in the back of her head. "You have the wrong year. If this is because of the pact, it doesn't kick in for another year and a half."
"What?" Colin asked, his head tilted to the side a little.
Oh no! He forgot about the pact, should she backtrack? No, better to double down. "You don't have to feel compelled to marry me because of the pact, either! I wouldn't hold you to it. Plus, this will be my last season."
"What?!" Colin barked out, looking slightly angry.
"Yeah, I'll be joining my mother in Ireland," Penelope said.
"There's no way my wife is moving to Ireland," Colin saw Penelope raise a challenging eyebrow at his tone. "I mean not without at least discussing it with me first."
"What do you mean 'your wife'? We aren't married." Penelope said.
"Yes, I was quite in the process of fixing that with my question," Colin said, gesturing down at himself and his position still on his bent knee.
"Colin! You don't want to marry me." Penelope said. "There must be better options inside. I'm too old."
"For me, there's only one option. I don't want some girl who hasn't lived their life yet."
"Oh my goodness, Colin. Please stand up!" Penelope said, reaching for his arm. She glanced around to see if anyone spotted them, but they were almost completely alone (besides the chaperone).
"No, you haven't answered me yet," Colin said obstinately. "I'm not standing up until you either accept my suit, and I jump up for joy. Or, you reject me, and I go cry about it with my brothers."
"Cry?" Penelope asked. She paused in grabbing hold of his arm. Penelope was starting to believe this might be real.
"Pen! Are you going to marry me or not?" Colin asked, almost frustrated.
Penelope could only nod her head, covering her mouth with her hand.
"Yes? Yes!" Colin's face was taken over by the biggest smile, and he jumped up. "I can't wait to actually make you my wife, love." He stepped closer to her. He cradled her head in his hands, drawing a sharp cough from the chaperone.
Letting out a frustrated huff, Colin stepped back.
"I'm going to be the happiest man alive because I get to be with you, Penelope," Colin said. "I wish I could kiss you, but I won't let you be ruined - not even by me."
"Let's go back inside," Penelope said, pulling his arm. "Oh! Felicity is supposed to be proposed to tonight. I hope we didn't miss it." She said and began pulling his arm more aggressively.
Unfortunately, they missed Geoffrey's proposal. But, Penelope still got to share in the happiness now that Felicity said yes. As soon as Felicity confirmed it, Colin jumped in with the news that Penelope had said yes to his suit as well.
Colin couldn't wait to get to the rest of his life with his wife. Though Anthony had a preternatural ability to secure special licenses, Colin said that he wanted to take his time and show the ton all that his beautiful wife-to-be was.
"Well, I guess this was my last season," Penelope told Colin after they promised to have and to hold forever and strolled around their new home's garden.
"You're right that it was. I can't let you be available for another minute. Who knows who else the Dankworths might have introduced you to." Colin shuddered.
"Stop it! You like them! I've seen you laughing with Harry." Penelope lightly slapped his shoulder.
"I'll never get over his smug face when he said you used to court him at the beginning of the season. I almost knocked him out then and there." Colin said, pulling his wife closer to him.
"I'm glad you didn't! That would have been a horrible start to the season." Penelope said.
"Why are we talking about the Dankworths right now? Can we go back to bed?" Colin asked.
"I'm not sure that I want to walk up all those stairs." Penelope teased Colin.
"Minx, I'll carry you, come here," Colin said, pulling her into his arms and picking her up bridal style.
The End.